Equal Rights Advocates
June 2011 Newsletter
Legislative News
ERA proudly co-sponsored Senate Bill 299, authored by Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), to ensure that employer-provided health coverage is continued for women on pregnancy disability leave. The bill successfully passed out of the CA Senate this week and is now headed to the State Assembly.
Stay tuned for further developments on this bill and other ERA advocacy work.
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Trial Begins in Mansourian v. UC Regents, et. al
On May 23rd, the trial in Mansourian v. UC Regents began in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. Plaintiffs: Arezou Mansourian, Lauren Mancuso and Christine Ng were students at the University of California at Davis (UCD) and were members of the varsity wrestling team until the University decided to eliminate all women from the team. The plaintiffs filed suit alleging that their elimination was a continuation of UCD's track record of Title IX non-compliance. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding.
In her opening statement on behalf of the plaintiffs, Managing Attorney Noreen Farrell described to a courtroom packed with spectators what wrestling meant to each Plaintiff, and how it helped them build confidence and develop a work ethic. She explanied how athletic opportunities empower young women and girls in the educational setting and provide opportunities that enable their continued success, both in school and in the workforce; this is why Title IX is so important.
ERA and our co-counsel Equity Legal, The Sturdevant Law Firm, and Duckworth Peters Lebowitz Olivier LLP extend a special thanks to AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund for their financial and other support. Several AAUW members have attended the trial which is expected to end next week. Follow the trial through our website, Facebook page and on Twitter.
Read recent articles about the case in the The Davis Enterprise and The California Aggie.
WISE Fund Application
Deadline: June 24, 2011
The
Women in Sports Equity (WISE) Fund is accepting applications from female club athletes and teams at UC Davis. These grants were made possible through the successful settlement of
Brust v. UC Regents, a companion case to
Mansourian v. UC Regents. The goal of the grants is to support the development of women athletes at the club level. Learn more about the
WISE Fund.
Our 37th Anniversary Luncheon is just two weeks away!
Don't miss this exhilarating event!
Purchase Tickets
Thursday, June 16, 2011
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Keynote speaker
Anna Deavere Smith
Playwright ∙ Actor ∙ Professor
To be a sponsor or table host, please contact Heidi Gider, Director of Development.
Let Me Down Easy at the Berkeley Rep
You’ve seen her on The West Wing and Nurse Jackie. Now Anna Deavere Smith returns to Berkeley Rep with her latest theatrical hit. Let Me Down Easy examines the body and the body politic, as only Anna Deavere Smith can. Using her unique performance style, she tells a stunning story about the vulnerability of the human body, the resilience of the spirit, and the price of care.
ERA supporters enjoy 20% off tickets to Let Me Down Easy on Thursday, June 9 at 8pm; Saturday, June 11 at 8pm; and Thursday, June 23 at 8pm. This offer is only available online and sorry, it’s not retroactive. Click here, and enter the promo code “ERA” for discount tickets!
From the Executive Director
Listen to Arcelia Hurtado discuss empowering women and our upcoming Luncheon on WomensRadio
Listen Now!
Read Arcelia's response to the egregious remarks recently made by CA Majority Leader Charles Calderon in The Power of Language featured in The Huffington Post.
Support ERA: Join Celebrated Chefs
Celebrated Chefs is a unique dining program that supports the work of hundreds of non-profit organizations. Enrollment is free and includes the exquisite Celebrated Chefs cookbook featuring a signature recipe from each participating restaurant.
To sign up, register any credit card you use when dining on business or pleasure, then dine at a participating restaurant. The result? The restaurant automatically donates 5% of your bill back to ERA.
